Fixtures of Saturday 10th November against Linlithgow Academy

1st XV won 51-14

What has proved gratifying this season is not only that we have recorded some great wins against some of the top schools but that, when we have been on top in games, we have played and finished clinically. So it proved away against Linlithgow Academy; or at least in part as, although we scored 10 tries, on a pitch conducive to good running rugby, we conceded 3, as many as we have against any side all season.

We kicked off with a slight slope in our favour. A better start than we've made in recent weeks, alert play at the breakdown in midfield gave us possession and the opportunity to progress into the opposition's 22. Then from an early scrum on their 5m line, Josh Thomson (S6) picked up at the base to crash over from close range in the right-hand corner. 5-0.

The second score again came from set piece. With a dummy scissors in midfield, Callum Brooker (S6) straightened and broke through the defence and fed to Ross Cowan (S6), who then had an easy sprint to the line to score under the posts. The kick from Cameron MacKay (S6) made it 12-0.
Kelvinside were now well on top and from good pressure on the Linlithgow back line, a fumble allowed us to pounce on the loose ball and through quick hands to Sergio Hidalgo (S6), who scored in the same corner as the first try. 17-0

Free running in both backs and forwards then followed. With a great take from a kick ahead, excellent support play amongst the forwards allowed quick ball to be recycled. Quick hands saw the ball to Brooker, who took his man on and the result was never in doubt. 22-0.

More pressure and great work from Ben Frame (S6) at a 5m scrum allowed him to fall on the ball for the simplest of scores. 27-0, an encouraging first half.

The second half started off as the first had ended, continued Kelvinside pressure and fine running. From a scrum around the Linlithgow 10m, another dummy scissors between 10 and 12 brought Cowan in from Full Back. It wasn't taken cleanly and a knock-on looked inevitable. However, skilfully retaining possession, he rounded the defence for a score in the right hand corner. 32-0.

Another scrum saw Graham Bryden (S6) taking the ball on a short crash, breaking the line and stepping inside and out, never having quite enough momentum to go all the way, but gratefully offloading to Andrew Davidson (S4) who was supporting well for a well-deserved score. The kick from MacKay made it 39-0.

It's at this stage of a game when there can be a danger that teamwork starts to disappear and individualism takes over. Whatever the reason, and all credit to our opponents for continuing to fight, Linlithgow then came back into the game. From deep inside our 22, missed tackles allowed the Linlithgow flanker over the line. The conversion made it 39-7.

Importantly, Kelvinside were next to score. At a breakdown just inside our opponents' half, Bryden stripped the ball from the tackled player and made his way across the pitch and outpaced the defence to touch down in the left-hand corner. 44-7.

The penalty count against us, however, was mounting - something we must address for closer encounters. Another transgression for crossing saw Linlithgow taking a quick penalty down the short side and crashing over the line from close range. 44-14.

We were still keen to keep the pressure on our opponents and that determination was none the more obvious than in Tom Richens (S6). From a breakout from their own line, Linlithgow were looking dangerous but Richens had tracked back superbly and put in a great tackle. From the breakdown, Matteo Biazotti (S6) broke the line and sent the defence the wrong way with a peerless sidestep. A quick offload inside saw MacKay score under the posts. Converting his own try brought the score to 51-14.

Davidson, now enjoying a bit of freedom, took the ball in midfield and rampaged towards the line. The support was good and Cowan took the ball over the line for our final score.

Linlithgow continued until the final whistle, however, and managed another score, initially held up but continued pressure saw them finally crash over the line.

So, many positives - among them great games from Hidalgo and Davidson - but still things to work on. We have not yet played our best rugby for the whole 70 minutes. With some difficult fixtures coming up before Christmas, we must ensure we do so.

Graham Bryden (S6)

This article was posted on 12-Nov-2012, 18:43 by Hugh Barrow.